The German triathlete ended his professional career this year with a fifth-place finish at the inaugural IRONMAN Italy Emilia-Romagna earlier this fall. Here, we pay homage to the 42-year-old father of two who celebrated nine IRONMAN victories.

by Volker Boch

Two months ago, along the Adriatic coast side of Italy, the paths of two outstanding athletes crossed. Andreas Dreitz was making his debut on the full-distance circuit at the inaugural IRONMAN Italy Emilia-Romagna while his fellow countryman, Timo Bracht, said goodbye to racing at the very same venue. Dreitz stormed to a sensational rookie win, while Bracht accepted an unexpected fifth-place finish in a fashion that has always been part of his professional career: as a gentleman’s racer.

Unfortunately, Bracht wasn't able to show his full potential in the final race of his professional career. He had a solid swim, put out a fair bike ride on a windy course, and then met with difficulty, as many of us do, on the run. Bracht has always been one of the rare and fast steady-pace runners, like New Zealander Cameron Brown, Spain’s Eneko Llanos, or even the most consistent marathoner in the world of IRONMAN over the past decade: three-time IRONMAN world champion Craig Alexander (AUS). Once he was on the run, Bracht could always trust on his legs. Whenever the marathon was on during his multiple IRONMAN events, Bracht’s legs were on fire. But not this time, in Italy, in his final race.

Saying goodbye to professional racing with one of his slowest runs ever (3:00:15) wasn't the way Bracht had planned his final appearance to go. "I can’t really say why," he said, trying to find an answer later. "My training was good, my running shape was just fine, but the final punch you always need was not there today."

He always knew that there’s an important part of life besides sport—in family and friendship.

Despite his disappointment, after 18 years of pro racing, and nine IRONMAN victories including two IRONMAN European Championships and multiple podium finishes worldwide, Bracht's final result marked something quite small in an illustrious career.

Bracht is one of the few athletes who have impressed and inspired a whole generation of triathletes. When talking about the roots of triathlon and IRONMAN, one would be remiss to leave this man from Eberbach, Germany, out of the story. Bracht's story is about knowing where he's from and still based after more than four decades. It's about making his way from those roots into the bigger world of triathlon.

Bracht began to discover various sports, especially winter sports, when he was in his youth, but then stumbled upon triathlon. He didn't buy a $4000 bike first, however. He was more on the old-school side of borrow a bike, and racing to have fun.

At 27, Bracht was still working a regular job when he took his first IRONMAN victory on June 21 at the 2003 IRONMAN France in Geradmer. His talent, especially in mentally-demanding races like this one in the French vogues, became obvious. Eight years later, in 2011, he clocked the still-existing race record at IRONMAN Lanzarote, well known for the fact that winners here have to be tough as nails. This victory was one of the emotional highlights for the athlete.

The German went on to win some of the most important races on the calendar, such as the IRONMAN European Championship in 2007 and 2009, and Roth 2014 on home soil. Besides the naked results, he impressed the crowd and media by the way he took his wins: as a fair and reflective athlete. He spoke clearly, asking for more sportsmanship in races when it was necessary. He was an emotional athlete, but Bracht behaved as a gentleman on and off the course, and became an ambassador for the Laureus foundation.

In Kona, Bracht showed some of his best mental performances, but his swim always cost him a podium finish. He was always in the pre-race mix at this prestigious race, thanks to the fact that he had all the abilities athletes need for a good result. But on race days, he always started his hunt from a bit too far behind after the swim. Often, the Kona train was already gone. In 2011 he ran into fifth place—his best result on the Big Island.

More recently, Bracht founded the successful pro racing team Sport for Good; he leaves the pro triathlon stage after almost 18 years of professional racing at the age of 42. But he's leaving something behind other athletes can believe in as well: He always knew that there’s an important part of life besides sport—in family and friendship. At the same time, he focused on himself, on his strengths, his health, and his athletic goals.

If you want to know an athlete who matches the idea of an IRONMAN in the best possible way, talk to Timo Bracht. He won't soon be forgotten at the races.